Cheshire police's crime data recording practices have been judged to be 'outstanding' by inspectors.

The results of an inspection carried out by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) earlier this year have just been published today (October 2), with the force being assessed over the way it records crime.

The latest result is a far cry from the 'inadequate' grading handed to the Constabulary following the publication of a crime data integrity inspection report in June 2017.

The 2017 report highlighted that the Constabulary recorded 83 per cent of crimes correctly, which led to some victims of crime not gaining access to the Constabulary victim support service, ‘Cheshire Cares’.

In response the force reviewed the cases that were highlighted and ensured that the victims received appropriate support and the crimes were recorded accurately.

In their follow-up inspection in early 2018, HMICFRS found that the Constabulary was now correctly recording 96 per cent of crimes reported.

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Acting Deputy Chief Constable Darren Martland said: “We are very pleased with the grade of ‘outstanding’, which the Constabulary has achieved by placing a significant emphasis on improving crime recording. We have provided training for our staff and introduced new procedures to ensure that crimes are investigated, support is provided to victims and crimes are recorded accurately.

“In addition to providing a better service for victims, improvements in crime recording have led to a better understanding of crime and the demands placed on the Constabulary.”

The 2017 report also highlighted that more accurate crime recording would lead to an increase in the number of crimes recorded within Cheshire.

A/DCC Martland added: “The Constabulary has been subject to scrutiny by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to explain the rise in recorded crime and ensure that progress has been made to improve crime recording.

“Cheshire remains a safe county, and providing the best possible service to victims of crime and vulnerable people will always be at the heart of everything that we do.

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“The grading of ‘outstanding’ by HMICFRS is testament to the hard work and commitment by our staff, but we are not complacent and will continue to work hard to ensure that the public receives the best possible service from Cheshire Constabulary.”

Following the inspection results being published, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said the grading was 'fantastic news'.

He added: "To go from the lowest level of assessment to the highest level in just one year is testament to the hard work of officers and staff to ensure the appropriate processes are put in place so all crimes are recorded in the correct way.

"Following the initial report, in my role as your elected police and crime commissioner, I held the then Chief Constable to account, making sure the inspectorate’s recommendations were addressed. Since then I have continue to purse progress with the Acting Chief Constable to ensure urgent action was prioritised to make vast improvements to the way crime is recorded.

"I called an extraordinary scrutiny board meeting to get to the bottom of the issue, making it a standard agenda item at all scrutiny meetings since. This has enabled effective monitoring of performance measures related to crime recording at all meetings.

"While these improved crime recording processes and changes to the culture of crime recording in the force have led to an increase in recorded crime across Cheshire, we can now be confident that crimes committed across the county are recorded in the right way, which can only provide more support for victims and give them a much greater chance of seeking justice.”

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